QB Alex Smith cleary stung by benching

(Note: I’m heading out for the start of practice but wanted to drop in this story that I’ve posted regarding Alex Smith’s comments on his latest benching. FYI: Tight end Delanie Walker and kicker David Akers are stretching with the team; Walker didn’t practice Wednesday and Akers was limited)

“We sat down and talked. It wasn’t a one-sentence thing,” Smith said. “He explained where he was coming from, felt it was a difficult situation but wanted to go in this direction.”

Did Smith try and talk Harbaugh out of starting Colin Kaepernick at quarterback for a third straight game, when the 49ers visit the St. Louis Rams on Sunday?

“No, I mean at this point, what’s talk going to do?” Smith responded. “I felt he made up his mind. He’s not a guy who didn’t put thought into it already.”

Speaking for the first time since Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday he was sticking with Kaepernick’s “hot hand,” Smith appeared clearly agitated over once again losing a job that’s repeatedly been swiped from his grasp since he was drafted first overall in 2005.

“I feel the only thing I did to lose my job was get a concussion,” said Smith, who sustained that brain trauma Nov. 11 during the second quarter of a 24-24 tie with the Rams.

In his last full outing, Smith completed 18 of 19 passes in a 24-3 win at Arizona, earning him a first-career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Dating back to halftime of an Oct. 18 win over Seattle, Smith is 35 of 38 for 385 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

“It’s tough. You state your case with your play and I feel I’ve done that,” said Smith, who leads the NFL with a 70.4 completion percentage and ranks fifth with a 104.1 passer rating.

Smith said he found out about this week’s benching “a couple days ago” from Harbaugh, who announced it to the team after Wednesday morning’s walk-through practice. Smith holds “no resentment” toward Harbaugh, citing such decisions are what Harbaugh “gets paid to do.”

Kaepernick’s first career starts have produced big-stage wins over the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman praised Kaepernick’s “natural progress” and a “more efficient” throwing motion.

Smith’s next step is to prepare for his next chance on the field, at which time he plans to “make the most of my next opportunity.”

That could come in relief of Kaepernick, or perhaps next season on another team. Smith’s 2013 base salary of $7.5 million is guaranteed only if he’s on the 49ers’ roster on April 1, according to CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.

Of all his ups and downs – and through the coaching and coordinator changes he’s endured – Smith is particularly stung by the timing of this benching.

“It’s such a great team, a great group of guys in the locker room and something special is going on here,” Smith added. “It’s a tough pill to swallow.”

Across the locker room, defensive tackle Ray McDonald sat at his locker and put in perspective the NFL’s harsh reality.

“It does (stink) to kinda lose your job to injury, but that happens in the NFL,” McDonald said. “Guys move on, they have mouths to fee and want to win championships. You’ve got to put it in the back of your mind.”

Smith harbored no regrets about informing team officials about the blurred vision he experienced that signaled his Nov. 11 concussion.

“No, I’m not looking back on that,” Smith added.

Former 49er Bill Romanowski told 95.7 The Game that Smith’s cautious approach opened the door for Kaepernick. Said Romanowski: “If Alex Smith would’ve played through the ding, the concussion, like a lot of guys still do … Careful in the NFL means losing your job. And that’s what this did for him.”

Smith endorsed the league’s recent emphasis on reporting concussions and called it “a good thing.” He did note that it is a “good question” if others will hesitate to report their symptoms in fear of losing their job to their injury replacement.

“It stings the most because I really feel like there’s something special going on here,” Smith added. “You sacrifice and you invest so much time. Like I said, I really feel like I hadn’t done anything but get a concussion to really to facilitate this. I feel like I was playing good football.” A week ago, Smith sounded resigned that his benching could be forthcoming, and a few hours later, Sports Illustrated’s Jim Trotter correctly reported that Kaepernick would start Sunday’s game at New Orleans.

While Smith’s status remained in Harbaugh-ian limbo, another clue emerged Saturday that Smith wouldn’t be reclaiming his job, and it came in the form of a tweet from Smiths’ wife.

Elizabeth Smith tweeted: “I am beyond thankful to walk through life with an amazing man by my side. He is the perfect example for our sons and my best friend. No matter what life throws his way, he has the utmost respect, honesty and integrity. Something a lot of people lack these days:(#thankful.”

Not me. I am a fan of the team, and both QB’s. I must say that the reaction by Alex is extremely mature, and will help this team in a very real way. He didn’t deserve to lose his job, but this league is cruel.

Coach is doing what is best for the greater good, and Alex knows that. He will rise again. If it is with us, all the better.

It is clear that Kaepernick may be a very special talent.

Lance Newberry

Bill Romanowski is an idiot.

But then we’ve all known that for a long time.

Alex Smith is a class act and isn’t an idiot.

And most have known that for quite a while too.

GO NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

G Unit

Alex Smith has never lacked in character, what he lacks in is ability to play the q.b. position at a high level. I can’t believe any one who has followed his career thinks he should be starting over Kapp. Those fans who think Smith has been wronged have obviously not been watching the nfl for very long. And how do you feel sorry for a guy who has made 30-40 million playing a game any how.
We have watched mediocrity for 8 years. The time is now!!
Kapp all the way baby!!

mark

people wrote alex off in 2009, 2010, saying no way he would be back, and he came back…im not sure this is the end for Alex as a Niner

Casey

Unfortunate for Alex. When the next hot coaching prospect comes along can we say that that person, who is the flavor of the week, is our coach, and that Harbaugh is still our coach too? I mean, we’ve got to go with the hot hand.

Lost a lot of respect for Harbaugh as a person. Did not lose any respect for him as a coach. Very tough to divide the two.

Alex has been a class act and always will be. I agree @ #1 (Matthew) it is not the time for bashing each other, just enjoy the ride. I want to see a championship I don’t care who is the QB. GO NINERS!!!

Frank U

Alex Smith is a true gentleman, and to me ,even though he is not currently playing, and may not get another chance to lead the 49ers, has given his teammates the example of what it is to be a leader. I hope that if he doesn’t get another chance to lead the 49ers, that his teammates show him there appreciation by winning these remaining 5 games for him. Thank you Alex for being a class act.

reppinvallejo

i wonder how the league feels about romanowski saying players should keep quite about concussion symptoms. what a joke. i hope the NFL gets him as far away from the league as possible.

o.g.

Alex is a class act but he’ll be playing for the Jaguars, Cardinals, or Raiders next year. Then he’ll need another 5 years and 3 HC firings to get “functional”.

Coach H’s dropping of Alex down the proverbial mineshaft has just sent a clear, loud, and sadly…..mistaken message to all his teammates. Do NOT tell the boss you’re hurt. Period.
So, now… we can let the Team Doctors take sundays off ! One more cost-saving item!!
This issue, IMHO, handled less than tactfully, will set Harbaugh up for serious locker room issues from here on. Players know they cannot trust him or his word.

Craig

Alex Smith is a real class act. I just wish Harbaugh had half his integrity and maturity. You have my support Alex!!

SpinMD

May I reiterate? Romo is an idiot. I’m not sure why he gets on the radio with the imbecilic things that come out of his mouth.

Alex Smith is clearly a good high character guy, but this is probably the best decision from a football perspective. Nice to have a great backup is Kap falters!

vikings fan…we’ll take Alex Smith over here in Minneapolis any day. It’s refreshing to see a class act out there and he can play

mglt6710

Smith the “class act” has been clearly spotted on the sidelines pouting and looking very miserable throughout the game, giving rise to the “Oh poor Alex” stuff.

If Smith really IS the “class act” that most of you seem to believe he is, then he needs to man up and join team play on the sidelines. Get involved in the plays, show some engagement, don’t just pace up and down and look miserable. Everyone sees it, and the announcers are only too happy to point it out incessantly. That will really be the the case this next week. Young had Montana removed from the sidelines, not saying that this is appropriate at this juncture, but Smith really needs to see how he comes across.

Patrick Saffarian

This is pro sports. I thought Smith was a bad investment from the beginning. At the time of his recruit there were other positions we needed to strengthen, last of which was QB (Jeff Garcia at the time).

After the rebuilding it was clear the team was built around Alex Smith’s style, which required strong defense and good running game, Smith’s best quality is that he doesn’t turn over the ball easy, and when a team relies on strong defense that is important. However, Colin has the ability to spread the field deep and move the ball. Put points on the board, opening up enormous possibilities. Smith is accurate, but simply doesnt throw a lot either.

It’s true that Smith is a class act, so is Colin. It could turn out that the next few games we learn that Colin turns the ball over and we need to go back to Alex, but for now that doesn’t seem to be the pattern.

Boxergar

We went through this same thing with Montana and Young years ago.
Young came through and led the team to another Super Bowl.

Before I retired someone else was promoted over me. Everyone in the office told me it should have been my job. Politics are everywhere.

I wish Alex well.

Go Niners

Mike

Smith may have a point. Harbaugh was always praising Smith’s play. How is he to know if Harbaugh was dissatisfied? I could see weakness in taking too many sacks, not making 3rd downs very often, inaccuracy on the longer passes, too conservative when throwing the ball (too many check downs) and poor red zone play. Harbaugh never mentioned my observations publicly and for all we know, Harbaugh may have told Smith he was satisfied with his play. So I understand with Smith’s confusion if he was never told there were critical area that needed improvement. That said, Harbaughs decision is the right one if the Superbowl is the goal. Smith would have never got past the Giants in the playoffs.

ts_niner

This is Harbaugh’s first big mistake. It will affect players and the team in subtle ways. Smith is a good quarterback and was on top of the game (and his game) and the niners could have gone all the way with Smith. Too bad.
The baseball Giants know what a “team” can do.

Alex should retire after he wins Super Bowl MVP this year he should have won last year

amanda hugankiss

Smith is a class act, and will come back with vengeance. This will light a fire under him. He’ll do great when he gets a chance to start again. If Kap gets hurt the niners will be fine. He’ll be more aggressive.

DJCstuff

Let me see, 13-3, NFC Div Champs, stopped short by MUFF/FUMBLE from being in the Super Bowl; it wasn’t an INT or poor play by Alex but that is TWO offense possessions lost w/out ever getting their hands on the ball; a dud due to special teams not so special… And JH’s PUBLIC cutting loose of Alex w/’go with hot hand’ and NOT stating Alex is starter demonstrates some very poor character and integrity by JH–trust, anyone? As for mglt6710 and Alex sideline behavior, it was Alex at the line w/hi-5s and going over pictures w/Colin between posessions. Not in the game, Colin’s own words dispute you; it ain’t the money, it’s haven your passion taken from you when your 13-3, 6-2, ranking 3rd in comp, 5th in QB rating. Oh, sacks are not necessarily a bad thing by aQB, keep the ball for another play, don’t just toss it up as Colin did for an INT in last game–ROOKIE mistake; don’t need them–take a sack… Stay with it Alex, may still need you… If you’re gone in 2013, very best to the guy who kept the offense together and on JH’s playbook during the lock-out thing–that’s also a leader…
GO NINERS!!!!

All these eulogies about Smith being “classy” and having “integrity” all sound like a card you send someone when they are sick or retiring or moving. I like the process in watching sports play out. Winning it all, being the champion, seems like a pipedream for most sports fans. Does that mean they should not enjoy watching their favorite team. I want to enjoy watching my favorite teams and hope that they reach their potential. That is why I am happy to see Kaep playing because, finally, the potential for the 49ers is right there in front of all of us to see.

Big pimp

Loyalty is everything take care your players like u would your family eddie d. Quote i bet alex is like fuck the niners

Klipper McCabe

Smith can’t do things Kaep can do. Smith can manage based off his experience better than Kaep. Smith has been through hell on the team over his career, Kaep just showed up and they are super bowl contenders. Life isn’t fair. It’s like sticking with DeBerg when number 16 was on the bench.

Dan Eden

It’s simple. Alex plays on eggshells- he’s just not aggressive. He plays like he’s been on a losing team for years, no matter how often the Niners win. Colin is aggressive, scary, dangerous, and most impotantly, he’s actually good. I like Alex- he’s a Niner. I like my neighbor- who is a painter. Liking someone isn’t enough.

Rice

Mglt6710… I guess according to you, Alex should be happy as hell for being benched. Sit on the sideline, laughing, joking, and chew some tobacco. You douche, if he wasn’t irritated about it then it would mean he really didn’t care. Cause he’d still get paid till the end of the season for warming the bench.
You must be someone that doesn’t take pride in their work.

Have the 49ers stopped paying Alex Smith? If not he still has a job, his roll has simply changed. I don’t feel sorry for someone earning millions to hold a clipboard on the sideline of an NFL game. I have been there and it’s pretty cool.

In the last few years many thousands of people have really lost jobs and their income. Those people are more deserving of empathy than a 2nd team QB on a Championship caliber team.

Plus it is fun to watch Colin K play. He has been excellent. Let’s hope for more of the same!

Mo p

The hell with class act, I’ll take the flat out baller… Colin kaepernick!

darrel

Quit worring about hurt feelings and enjoy good football. These guys are moking millions,so don’t worry about them they will be fine.

snsf49loyal

I don’t care who is the QB show me the Championship, this is why you play the game to win Championship(s) isn’t it?

Mardy Martinez jr

U guys are crazy for thinking that alex shouldn’t be starting and I’ve been watching the niners and football in general ,kap looks good but he’s only started 2 games and the saints d is horrible if it wasn’t for are strong d we would have lost to the saints.yhea he looks good now and no one wants the niners to win more then me but we should be thinking playoffs now not qb controversy ,kap looks good now but Alex took us to the NFC championship ,and was poised to take us back.everyone forgets that and two and a half games doesn’t mean much the NFL defenses adjust,Kevin kolb looked like a star when he went in for Vick and what about Flynn he looked like a stud and got a huge contract ….bottom line is as much as smith has gotten the raw deal he’s done nothing wrong and he’s won the last two years so he should be the starter before we lose him…..

Nick

The crazy thing is the 49ers D is so good, that we really may not know if Keap is the real deal until the playoffs – Sundays is most likely a giveme no matter who’s is the QB, and with this D the only games that will be a real test are New England, and Seattle. Maybe after those games we will know what Keap brings.

D.Rod

Harbaugh you suck!!!! Alex is the man!!!! You lost faith harbaugh this is not stanford!!!! Stanford will win the rose bowl this year becuse they stuck with the man that got them that far, Get ready for loses fans!!!! Alex God believes in you this shall pass you have kept the faith in such undeserving circumstances in this you shall have the championship you seek from God on his football field!!! Kap has not had to endure the real NFL defense yet and when our defense cant bail him out he loses we would have lost in the saints game if not for defensive points!!! you will be at the helm as captain Alex God see’s the injustice be ready Alex to win us a Super Bowl this year!!!!!

Really?

@Nick WHAT?! Did you watch the Bears game? Bears have a better defense than New England. Kap torched the Bears. He played well on the road against the Saints.

Watch the film. Kap is the real deal.

Loren

Just like driving a car…..i would .rather drive KAEPERferrari testarosa rather than ALEXvolkwagensmith …Kap throws better and FASTER ..better vision and read defense very well …AND THE FOOTWORK ARE MORE SUPERIOR ….where is Alex s TEAM s spirit and sportmanship?.. I saw Alex got Kaeper VENTILATED and grab a cup of drink when Kaeper ran for the touchdown at NO game….After nine years of boring football s and paying our season tickets finally we got a qb thats exciting to watch ..we got KAEPEREXCITED !!!!!!!!!!

midasmicah

Regardless of how his football career ends, Alex Smith will be an NFL coach in the future. What a class act. Go Niners!!!

Loren

THREE AND OUT !!! ..we seen to many of those from Alex …but with KAP …believe me there is an ADRENALINE and the FEEL that Worth watching and spend your Season Ticket s Money as Season ticket holder ….CHECK OUT THOSE SPIRALS KAP THROWS .and like Darts…WHJILE ALEX s balls THROWING LIKE YELLOW FLAGS…..Watch out your fingers..Randy Moss KAP darts are coming !!!!!!…… And Manythanks to coach Harbaugh for picking Kap from NEVADA WOLFPACKS ….AWESOME recruit…in Kap…….Tommorrow is NOW !!!!!!!

Mo P

Kaep passes the eye-ball test, Smith does not.

3rd and 10 is possible now. Not an automatic punt.

LB’s now have to cover, b/c the ball is going to sail over their heads, which opens up the running game.

Kaep’s numbers in NO were more impressive, keep in mind several big plays were taken away b/c of penalties in that game. Take away the turnovers and Kaep’s 49ers win 17-14. The 49ers special teams missed 2 FG’s on top of that.

The 49ers total offense has upgraded with Kaep.

Mo P

Smith’s last two games started and finished. Offense 315 yards.
Kaepernick’s last two games started and finished. Offense 364 yards.

Michael

31: after going dowfield against the Bears, who packed the box and singled our recevers, the NO game was back to what Alex feutured- short to intermediate passes to receivers in space- of Kap’s 231 yards passing, 131 were YAC. There’s not a darn thing wrong with that, it’s the kind of game, but far less efficient, that Smith put up against AZ, then the 4th rated pass defense in the league. So what do we really have with Kap? Bradshaw redux? Alex Lite? Fact is, we don’t know, and neither does Jimbo or Colin would have been starting before the injury.The Bear game surprised the heck out of Jimbo, and Kap was just good enough against NO to convince Harbaugh that he can win with either QB so he stepped up Kap’s timetable. But while Colin may turn out to be the QB of the future, it’s still about who JH thinks gives them the better chance to win or at least get to the Super Bowl THIS year.I fully expect Smith to be the starter again by the time the playoffs begin.

joekool

Regardless of who is quarterback… this is the worst distraction since the Terrell Owen days. Jimmy totally screwed this up.

We should be focusing on the Superbowl. Now everyone in the locker room is focused on what to say and not to say about Alex and Colin.

Dock42

It’s amazing to me how many of us throw our opinions around like they have merrit – fact is that none of us know what its like to play at this level – hell the majority of us probably never played any kind of organized team sport – but we chime in with jewels like “Kaeperferrari / Alexvolkswagon” and “hell with class act, gimme a baller” – completely dismissing the individuals that make up the Team and the effort it takes to attain and hold onto a starting position.
My hat is off to Alex and the way he is handling this current scenario. Especially after adding on all the other crap he has had to overcome from 2005 to 2010.
He has true character and integrity (fact, not opinion) – those of you that don’t think so – have none (also a fact)

Jason

Brady is 36 yrs old next year. He maybe has a year to 2 with the Patriots. Great QBs are hard to find in raw and have to be developed. I can see Alex being the backup QB at NE for year to 2 year while he learns a new system and fights for a starting job with other potential QBs in about 2 years time at NE.

Better to take the vet minimum pay and go somewhere good rather than taking big money and bad situation

It’s like Young sitting behind Montana. I am NOT comparing Alex to them, just the situation.

TO ALL 49er FANS: KAP does have excellent upside…HOWEVER….if you think Kap is the next P Manning or T Brady after playing only 2 games…take a deep breath and cross your fingers…maybe Kap will be GREAT…but no one now can say or predict with accuracy whether he will be or will not be…..Consider who you played….Bears w/o any quarterback talent or capability to score points…and the Saints…who a number of teams have seriously trashed…and yes the 49er defensive players removed the vast majority of pressure from Kap’s shoulders during the Saints game…don’t ignore this fact and be ignorant to not accepting this fact. This doesn’t mean that Kap is not going to be a GREAT player, nor am I trying to squash your enthusiasm for Kap…I am just being realistic becasue for me it is easy as I am neither a 49er fan or a 49er adversary. So many of the Kap supporters are Smith detractors becasue they think he is generally boring…Remember…he took you to the NFC championship last year and for all practical considerations…won the game….but for a lousy special teams player/decision would have guided you in the Super Bowl…not bad…but I know Smith is “boring”…and deserves nothing for those accomplishments in 2011/2012 and for what he has done so far this year. One other thought that all of you Smith detractors should consider….has it ever crossed your mind that Smith plays and performs the way he does….conservatively and boring….because he understands the game WAY MORE SO AND WAY BETTER THAN ANY OF YOU …and fully realizes and accepts the excellence of the 49er defense and that he most likely needs to only perform adequately for the 49ers to win the vast majority of the games. Also the most athletic quarterback I have seen and I mean seen in person numerous times is Michael Vick….WOW he could run, throw the ball like a laser and was EXCITING EXCITING EXCITING….where has that gotten him and his teams…has he ever played in a NFL championship game??? RGIII is probably as exciting if not more so than Vick…but he better realize the fate and circumstances and reality of always trying to be an EXCITING PLAYER. or he will most likely end up in similar circumstances as Vick…beat up…injured…potential concussions etc. The point is….EXCITING is great to watch, but not usually the style that WINS SUPER BOWLS. I think Kap certainly has lots and lots of potential….but IS HE REALLY THE CHOICE THAT SHOULD BE MADE NOW???? TOM BRADY AND PEYTON MANNING EXEMPLIFY THE ULTIMATE IN BORING SUPERLATIVE QUARTERBACKING….Can they throw the ball great…read defenses impecably…lead in times of crisis….inspire teammates with both courageous and prudent decsisions? ABSOLUTELY CERTAINLY IS THE ANSWER TO ALL OF THOSE….Maybe Kap will get there at some point and maybe not in the too distant future…but DON’T IGNORE THE FACT THAT SMITH WAS ON THE DOORSTEP OF ACCOMPLISHING ALL OF THOSE FEATS/TASKS. BY HIS ACTIONS TO DATE, SMITH IS WAY TOO MATURE AND PROFESSIONAL, UNLIKE JIM HARBAUGH, TO CHECK OUT ON THE TEAM IN CASE THE 49ERS AND THE FANS NEED HIM DURING SOME POINT OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS SEASON AND PLAYOFFS. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, HE WOULD BE ILL ADVISED TO RENEW HIS ALLEGIANCE TO THE 49ERS AND THEIR FANS FOR ANOTHER YEAR AFTER THIS SEASON…..THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY TEAMS AND FAN BASES WITH SERIOUS NEEDS THAT WILL SUPPORT AND UNDERSTAND AND WILLINGLY EMBRACE THE IMPORTANCE OF BORING, PRUDENT, WELL TIMED COURAGEOUS, AND PINPOINT QUARTERBACKING…..THEN SMITH WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE HIS TRAIN ON THE SUPER BOWL TRACK….One other thing…I can only say it as Jim Harbaugh would say it…..GO ALEX SMITH and uh and uh and uh ….by the way best of luck to you too Kap.

edmond

anyone who has their job taken from them while taking a sick day would be stunned as well. anyone who has fought for 7 years under public scrutiny and well documented hatred from maybe 50,000 people… none of us know about how badly that feels, or how badly it feels to have a handful of condescending reporters writing stupid tongue-in-cheek blogs about how they knew it was coming and all hail kaepernick’s 2 game success.
SF reporters suck and so do half of their fans. Sheep. Worthless sheep following the leader when it comes to pulling the quick trigger of disliking someone and never forgiving them for a problem that is not his fault.
I honestly wish that i could witness every media member have the camera turned on him/her while they loose their job to the next guy up. I’d love to watch most fans that were against Smith this entire time spontaneously combust, but, hey, it took you guys 7 years to get your wish. maybe I’ll get to see some misfortune of others in half that time? all for my own personal entertainment.

beck

I believe that they are making a big mistake and they will see it in this Sundays game. Pressure will be on and numerous mistakes will be made!!! Watch and see and maybe the coach will learn you can not disgard people like that??? Alex Smith is a class act and he will rise above this.

elvisinexile

Eyeball test? Both Smith and Kaepernick pass the eyeball test. Ask your wives, girlfriends, gay friends. They are a couple of cuties.
It is an impossible decision, kind of like oh let’s say you have Joe Montana and Steve Young, who’s your starter? Not saying Alex is Saint Joe, just that you have two top quality QB’s many other teams don’t have any as good as either.
People say it is a good problem to have, I say, not so much. After so many years of abuse by a poorly run organization, Smith finally was doing the things that people say he couldn’t. It’s just a shame for Alex.
I hope when he goes to another team, he doesn’t come back to haunt us.

Mike

@Mo P You forgot to mention the 6 sacks that Smith took in those 2 games. That yardage should be subtracted.